Here are all the ways you can show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter protests in the USA and around the world.
On May 25, a black man named George Floyd was killed in the US city of Minneapolis. Footage showed police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on his neck for almost nine minutes, while Floyd repeated ‘I can’t breathe’. Chauvin has since been charged with murder for Floyd’s death. On June 3rd, charges were also filed against the other police officers present at Floyd’s killing.
Floyd’s violent death at the hands of the police triggered protests, first in Minneapolis and then spanning across every state in America – with solidarity demonstrations taking place across the world. The protests have brought Black Lives Matter, a decentralised movement founded in 2013 in response to the killing of Trayvon Martin and other black Americans, back to prominence. Now people of all races, living across the world in dozens of countries, are looking for ways to help.
At MFM, we are passionate about using our platform for the better and providing our audience with ways they can help. Whether it’s by donating money, attending protests, educating yourself, or simply amplifying the voices of black people around the world who may not have the same platform as you. There are so many ways to support the GLOBAL struggle against racial inequality. Below, we have listed a few ways you can help.
1. Donate to causes that NEED funding
Following the death of George Floyd and the protests across the USA, a number of fundraising drives have been set up to support Floyd’s family, bail out protestors who have been arrested and support the wider Black Lives Matter movement. These funds are here to support those who can not afford the freedom others have. Some, like the Minnesota Freedom Fund, have raised huge amounts of money and are now redirecting donations to other organisations. Here are some US organisations that you can fund right now to support black people and help the fight against racism.
Official George Floyd Memorial Fund
American Civil Liberties Union
National Bail Fund Network or local bail funds across the US
National Police Accountability Project
Beyond the USA, there are plenty of organisations campaigning against racism around the world. In the UK, you could donate to the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust or Stand Up To Racism, campaigning for racial inequality, or the Green & Black Cross, which provides legal support to protestors and activists.
2. Peaceful Protesting
Throughout history, protesting have been a key factor in promoting the visibility and success within civil rights campaigns, LGTBQ+ rights and many more. Although due to Covid-19, mass gatherings are banned in public places, by putting in extra safety procedures such as social distancing, masks, gloves and appropriate clothing this can reduce the rate of infection and help minimise any additional issues occurring.
If you are going to make your voice heard, especially in the US, here’s what you need to know before you go out to protest.
3. Sign a petition
There are a number of petitions circulating in the wake of George Floyd’s killing, and you can add your name now. #JusticeforFloyd and Justice for George Floyd are demanding that all officers present at Floyd’s death be arrested and charge with murder.
4. Show support and solidarity on social media
From the original #BlackLivesMatter hashtag and movement to the recent social media blackout of June 2nd 2020, there are so many online campaigns and movements that have proved this is one of the most effective ways to show your support and raise awareness to the cause. Whether you are posting links to donation pages, links to petitions or sharing images and videos to show the truth of the matter. Sharing anything you have found is one step further than you were before in helping. Just make sure to prioritise black people’s voices and not speak over anyone with actual, lived experience of the issues at hand.
5. Educate Yourself on the Anti-Racist Struggle
If you are not black, it is crucial that you educate and lean about the current situation. Research the core of why people are protesting, involve yourself and connect with the stories and the lives of those effected. Think about your on privilege, but also your own prejudices are, what your responses to the protests and affects are and ways in which they have changed your perspective. Think about how your actions affect others and how you can use your own position to help others.
6. Keep Listening, Sharing, Speaking and Learning
To be silent is to be complicit. It takes no time at all to share a post, sign a petition, donate £5 to a cause. There will always be new ways to help, please check across social platforms for new ways and posts you can help promote and share.
Within MFM, we strive to push for diversity and equality. We will always listen and use our voice to help the black community, and we encourage and urge you to follow even one of these steps to help us in this campaign for change.
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